OUR LADY OF VICTORY
On 7 October, 1571, the Holy League defeated the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Lepanto.
The League was a coalition of Catholic states arranged by Pope Pius V.
It comprised of the Spanish Empire, the Papal States, the Republic of Venice, the Republic of
On 7 October, 1571, the Holy League defeated the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Lepanto.
The League was a coalition of Catholic states arranged by Pope Pius V.
It comprised of the Spanish Empire, the Papal States, the Republic of Venice, the Republic of
Genoa, and other Italian states.
At the time, Continental Europe was at threat of conquest by the Ottoman Empire.
The Turks, led by Suleiman the Magnificent, had ravaged the Eastern Mediterranean for decades, and Christian Europe deemed their armies unbeatable and invincible.
At the time, Continental Europe was at threat of conquest by the Ottoman Empire.
The Turks, led by Suleiman the Magnificent, had ravaged the Eastern Mediterranean for decades, and Christian Europe deemed their armies unbeatable and invincible.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Holy League was fighting a religious war with the Protestant Reformers.
Europe was in danger of being overrun.
Pope Pius V arranged the coalition and blessed their banner; a flag bearing the crucified Christ.
He appointed a commander and
Europe was in danger of being overrun.
Pope Pius V arranged the coalition and blessed their banner; a flag bearing the crucified Christ.
He appointed a commander and
blessed the soldiers and sailors.
65,000 men sailed out to fight the Ottomans, with more than 200 ships.
On the eve of the battle, the Catholics devoted the battle to the Virgin Mary.
The next morning, the Sacrament was administered, and the battle began, on sight of the Turks
65,000 men sailed out to fight the Ottomans, with more than 200 ships.
On the eve of the battle, the Catholics devoted the battle to the Virgin Mary.
The next morning, the Sacrament was administered, and the battle began, on sight of the Turks
It was the largest naval battle in Europe, since Classical Antiquity.
It also had as much value as the Battle of Salamis, in 306 BC.
Then, the Greeks had defeated the Persians in a naval battle, preventing the influence of Oriental culture in Europe.
If the Turks won Lepanto,
It also had as much value as the Battle of Salamis, in 306 BC.
Then, the Greeks had defeated the Persians in a naval battle, preventing the influence of Oriental culture in Europe.
If the Turks won Lepanto,
Christianity was under direct threat of extinction.
So, both sides fought; 120,000+ men killing themselves on wobbly boats.
Ultimately, the Holy League prevailed, and drove back the enemy.
It was a great victory.
Pope Pius V instituted the feast of Our Lady of Victory, whose
So, both sides fought; 120,000+ men killing themselves on wobbly boats.
Ultimately, the Holy League prevailed, and drove back the enemy.
It was a great victory.
Pope Pius V instituted the feast of Our Lady of Victory, whose
intercession the victory was attributed to.
The Ottoman Empire suffered its first defeat in a hundred years, and never took the western Mediterranean.
The triumph is now celebrated as the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Proudly Catholic.
#Catholic
#CatholicTwitter
The Ottoman Empire suffered its first defeat in a hundred years, and never took the western Mediterranean.
The triumph is now celebrated as the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Proudly Catholic.
#Catholic
#CatholicTwitter
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